Victorian Playhouse

There are surprises around every corner of the 33-acre Atlanta History Center, including this adorable Victorian Playhouse, situated not too far outside the back of the historic Swan House.

Victorian Playhouse, Atlanta History Center

Part of this Victorian Playhouse's "cool factor" is that it wasn't part of the Inman children's playtime. This house has quite another history. The placard in its "front yard" reads:

"The Victorian Playhouse was built ca. 1890 in downtown Atlanta. The playhouse has resided in Inman Park, Ansley Park, Brookwood Hills, and Buckhead, reflecting Atlanta's residential growth northward. In 1980, the William D. Ellis family donated it to the Atlanta Historical Society. The playhouse is a typical folk Victorian building - a simple house type with applied Victorian decoration common in Georgia from 1890 to 1920. The house provides an architectural link between 1840s Tullie Smith Farm and 1928 Swan House."

Don't be shy about exploring while you're there and feel free to ask any docent or Center staff member questions about the Atlanta History Center's collections, historic homes, and/or gardens. In my experience, they've all been incredibly knowledgeable, helpful and they're dedicated to helping enhance visitors' experience.

Head over to the wanderlust Atlanta Facebook Page for more fun!

Facebook Cover Photo: Swarovski Chandelier

This is one of the many chandeliers at the Museum of Design Atlanta's (MODA) current exhibition "The South's Next Wave: Design Challenge" and it's the Facebook Cover Photo that I'm currently using on my personal Facebook account. The piece is absolutely stunning in-person, made of Swarovski crystals and silk!

Chandelier at "The South's Next Wave: Design Challenge"
Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)

I highly recommend getting over to MODA to check out the exhibition in the next several weeks. The plan, as I recall, is to announce the winner of the design challenge sometime next month. That way, visitors have time to return to see the winning vignette (instead of learning who won after the exhibition has left)...pretty brilliant, if you ask me.

Enjoy this Facebook Cover Photo and head over to the wanderlust ATLANTA Facebook Page and check out the "Facebook Cover Photos" album for a greater selection...help yourselves to them.

Manta Ray at Georgia Aquarium

My absolute favorite place in Georgia Aquarium, which happens to be the world's largest Aquarium—and that's not the only thing that makes it such an incredible experience—is the "Tube" in the Ocean Voyager gallery, but the room with the gigantic acrylic viewing window (pictured below) is a close second.

Manta Ray, Ocean Voyager, Georgia Aquarium

And my favorite animal in Georgia Aquarium is the Manta Ray (pictured above). Did you know that the four Manta Ray at Georgia Aquarium are the only ones in an Aquarium in the United States? Ever?! They're fascinating creatures...I could watch them for hours (and counting collective visits, I have!). 

As much as I love the Manta Rays, one of the things that I love about Georgia Aquarium is its diversity. The fish and other salt and freshwater creatures, from Octopus to Sea Dragons and Piranha to Dolphin, are more than enough to keep any visitor fascinated for the duration of a decent length visit.

And they're open seven days a week, unlike many other Atlanta attractions.Actually, they're open every day of the year!

Enjoy your visit and let me know what you think of the tunnel and giant window viewing room!

Sister Louisa's

Sister Louisa’s CHURCH of The Living
Room & Ping Pong Emporium

Atlanta is filled with amazing places to hang out with friends to enjoy a cocktail...we're a very social city! And of those thousands of places, Sister Louisa's Church of the Living Room and Ping Pong Emporium is not for the light-hearted.

I'd wanted to go here for a long time, but never got around to it until a friend organized another friend's going away party. What a fun time we had! But I do miss my friend Sandy, but I do have to say, we had a great time sending her off.

"We love Georgia. It's that simple. It sprouts wonderful music, colorful characters and memorable places. It has its issues. We can not lie. But that's all part of its complicated character." - says Sister Louisa's website. And they're right.

The decor is so sacrilegious, in a fun way, including a ton of decor that used to be in my grandmother's and friends' grandmothers homes...but now it's just so funny.

Sister Louisa's is pure fun. The downstairs is pubish and the upstairs has pool tables and super comfy sofas that are great for casual gatherings of friends...you'll feel very at home.

I do miss Sandy, but she's been back to Atlanta to visit...we went to Escorpion, but that's a story for another time. 

One Last Look at Garden Lights

Tonight is the final night for the 2012-2013 "Garden Lights, Holiday Nights" show at the Atlanta Botanical Garden...and tickets are still available!

I went last night with a friend who had not made it yet for the 2012-2013 show and toward the end of the evening we learned that there were more than 3,000 visitors just last night...that's a great crowd!

If you've already been, you'll appreciate this photo recap and if you've not been, this is what you're missing!

Garden Lights Holiday Nights, Atlanta Botanical Garden

Garden Lights Holiday Nights, Atlanta Botanical Garden

Garden Lights Holiday Nights, Atlanta Botanical Garden

Garden Lights Holiday Nights, Atlanta Botanical Garden

Garden Lights Holiday Nights, Atlanta Botanical Garden

Garden Lights Holiday Nights, Atlanta Botanical Garden

Garden Lights Holiday Nights, Atlanta Botanical Garden

Garden Lights Holiday Nights, Atlanta Botanical Garden

That last one is me, Travis, your wanderlust ATLANTA author. Between volunteering and attending Garden Lights as a visitor, I was there quite a few times this year and it was magical each time.

I really enjoyed seeing and hearing how much other visitors enjoyed what the Garden has done and how far they've taken this exhibition in only two years. I can hardly wait to see what they're going to do next!

Speaking of next, next up at the Atlanta Botanical Garden is...Orchid Daze! This year's exhibition begins Saturday, February 9. And I think you're going to be blown away by this summer's exhibition.

Remember to head over to the wanderlust ATLANTA Facebook Page where you'll find even more Garden Lights pictures! 

Darth Vader at the High?

I made this photo at the High Museum of Art—in the Modern & Contemporary gallery—just for the fun of it. Truthfully, I thought the sculpture resembled Darth Vader's helmet. Yes, if you couldn't tell from all the postings during Dragon*Con over Labor Day Weekends, I am a sci-fi fan.

Modern & Contemporary Gallery at the High Museum of Art

But, without having read the placards of the two pieces in this space (shame on me), I could let my imagination dance in the stars as long as it wanted. I started to rethink the dismissal of the sculpture not being Dart Vader when I realized that the painting behind it is more than a seascape...it's also a stellar map, depiction of constellations. Intentional or not, that's just fun?!

On a side note, did you know that one of the gargoyles atop the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. is a depiction of Darth Vader? It was the result of a decorative sculpture competition for children.

My point, plain and simple: Let yourself have fun when you're out touring. I often visit a place with a specific purpose when it comes to my camera, but I'm glad of the results when I sometimes deviate from those plans, at least momentarily.

Now, go see Atlanta...and have some fun!

Swan House Tour

I've been to the Atlanta History Center on numerous occasions, but had not seen the Swan House in holiday decor...and wanted to. So, this past weekend I went.

Swan House, Atlanta History Center

I got there a few hours before they closed, hopeful that there were still some tour slots remaining (they don't let you reserve Swan House tours online, they give out tickets in-person upon arrival). Fortunate for me, the young lady who checked me in made an exception (membership has its privileges!) and got me on the very next tour.

On the downside, you can't make photographs 'inside' the Swan House, but definitely on the upside the interior is stunningly beautiful and you won't forget it!

Our tour guide, Migel (yes, that's Migel with an 'M'), was incredible! He's one of the best tour guides I've experienced in Atlanta. I didn't tell him, but I may very well be borrowing some of his material when I give my next tour. He's not only incredibly knowledgeable about the Swan House, he has a great sense of humor!

Migel also told us that the Swan House will be seen in the upcoming release of "Hunger Games: Catching Fire", the second film in the Hunger Games trilogy.

Here's a brief Atlanta History Center video on the Swan House...



And here are a few more photos...

Swan House, Atlanta History Center

Swan House, Atlanta History Center

Swan House, Atlanta History Center

The house was designed by Phillip Trammell Shutze, which was a big deal, and completed in 1928. A big deal, Shutze-designed buildings, that I'd know nothing about were it not for the education my friend Terry Kearns, author of Architecture Tourist, has provided on many of Atlanta's buildings.

There's lots to learn about the magnificent Swan House (ironically, the Swan House is half the size of the family's former home)...I always enjoy my visits there.

Head over to the wanderlust ATLANTA Facebook Page for more photos and please share this post with your friends! Thanks!